Gibbons Chasing More Gardens Glory

CRANEBROOK trainer Barry Gibbons Jnr is hoping to pick up just where he left off when he returns to Ladbrokes Gardens this Friday afternoon.

Armed with a trio of runners at last Friday's program, Gibbons left the Hunter Valley circuit with a winning treble, courtesy of littermates Klemmer Banner, Lilly Banner and Old Mick Banner each taking out their respective assignments.

By Dyna Double One out of successful producer Elleni Banner, the March 2018 whelps have enjoyed a thunderous start to their racing journeys, winning 30 of their 73 starts, at a strike-rate of 42 percent.

"It's a pretty smart litter but we've had to be patient with a few of them along the way," Gibbons said.

"When we were breaking them in Old Mick Banner wasn't showing anything at all. He was cooking himself traveling and was over anxious – we got pretty close to giving him away actually. He didn't even pass his first performance trial at Maitland.

"I changed up his diet and did a few things differently and gave him some time. Eventually the penny started to drop with him and he built up some confidence in his races. I like to give them at least 10 starts before I make a call on them."

Old Mick Banner enters Friday's $5,700 to-the-winner Ladbrokes Red Dog Final (600m) on the strength of an all-the-way 34.71 heat victory, win eight of his 14 start career.

The rising two-year old has drawn box eight where he's expected to set a frantic pace out in front, while fastest qualifier, Foxzami Muzza, will exit box two.

"If he runs his first split from the heats he should lead and then he'll need a bit of trouble behind to pinch a break you'd think … there's a few strong ones in there," Gibbons declared.

"He's a dog that spends a lot of energy; at home we have to feed him a few times a day just to keep the weight on him.

"He's come out of last week's run great and had a few slips up our straight this week. Last week was his first 600 so if he can find a tenth in the run home it might be enough to pinch it."

While confident Old Mick Banner is set for a forward showing on Friday, Gibbons expects Klemmer Banner to prove mighty hard to beat in the second event from his box one draw.

"He was actually the opposite of Old Mick Banner breaking in … he was doing everything right and showing a lot of promise but nothing went right when he started racing," Gibbons explained.

"It was probably my fault; I started him in a 330m at Richmond and he fell which knocked his confidence around. He had a few injuries after that and just nothing was going right. He ran 29.96 winning last week and I'd be surprised if he doesn't improve off that on Friday."

For 46-year old Gibbons, son of successful breeder/owner Barry Gibbons and cousin of New South Wales' number one trainer Jason Mackay, his return to the training ranks in recent times has proven to be a most successful one.

Over the past 12 months the Cranebrook based conditioner has led home 42 winners from 128 starters, boasting the terrific strike-rate of 33%.

"I was out of the industry for a long while there," Gibbons reflected.

"I have a plumbing business as well so there's always a lot going on but we make it work. My two sons Jake and Laurie are right into it all and are a big help. If things keep going the way they are I might need to look at going full-time. We'll see."

Back in the early 2000s, Gibbons enjoyed immense success with his first ever greyhound, prolific winning sprinter Sparge Banner.

"He wasn't anything special early on but just kept improving," Gibbons said of the former Richmond track record holder.

Sparge Banner, a son of the Gibbons Snr-owned Dalalla, went on to win 21 races, including the 2004 Golden Easter Egg consolation.

And as for having Jason Mackay to lean on for advice?

"He doesn't say a lot but when he does you make sure you listen," Gibbons said.

"It's great to have someone there with his knowledge. He's always helping someone."